The Japanese are coming. Yutaka Take, Japan's leading jockey who has as big a profile as David Beckham in his native country, is a regular visitor to Europe and takes the mount on Le Fou in the French Derby. He is to be joined by Hiroki Goto, currently third in the Japanese jockeys' championship, who arrives in Britain this week after an invitation from Kieren Fallon, who met him when he was riding in the Far East. Goto, 28, who has 483 winners including 12 Group race victories to his credit, is planning to stay in Britain until September. He might get a ride at Goodwood - three top Japanese horses have been entered for the Sussex Stakes.

Fly out of trouble

Epsom have scaled down the free open-air concert for Derby day on the Downs because of the backlog of traffic 12 months ago. But the jams will still be bad next week. For those who can afford it, the only guaranteed way of avoiding the traffic is by flying in. Helicopters are flying from Sandown Park racecourse in Esher to the track at a cost of £225 per person plus VAT. If you're feeling flush, call 01372 726311.

Hear all about it

Once you get to Epsom, don't miss out on all the latest news. The state-of-the-art, clip-on miniature earpiece radios that were launched at Cheltenham were such a success that they will be on sale at the Derby meeting, with Epsom offering racegoers 50p off the course price of £8, or £12 for a pair. The SoundDec radio ensures you do not miss expert opinion, betting updates, breaking news, commentaries and interviews with owners, jockeys and trainers. Sound Decisions, the manufacturers, will have sales booths at each entrance to the racecourse and at the parade ring.

Mackay in Dettori's footsteps

Frankie Dettori emerged from the Luca Cumani apprentice academy - and last Wednesday we witnessed another budding academy talent in Nicky Mackay, who gave Ascari a cool ride for his first winner in the opener at Yarmouth. It was a poignant success for the 17-year-old as in 1951 Ryan Jarvis gave Mackay's grandfather, Eric Eldin, his first winner while Jarvis's son, William, was responsible for Ascari.

Prescott happy to wait

The sighting of Sir Mark Prescott's first runner of the Flat season among the entries has become something akin to hearing the first cuckoo of spring, such is the anticipation and, in recent years, the long wait. For the past two years Prescott's opening salvo was at the Derby meeting, but we gather his many followers will probably have to wait until next week before he commences the 2002 campaign. The Newmarket trainer's reasoning is that horses can last only two-thirds of the season no matter when they start, so why not wait until the vast majority of those in his care are well? Don't forget Parachute, which we urged you to note for this term, while Froglet, Inglis Drever and Unleash are other names to conjure with from the Heath House string.

Charming Cartmel a classy choice

Cartmel's May Bank Holiday fixture was felled by foot and mouth last year, so there will be an even greater sense of anticipation than usual among the massive crowd, among them Tattenham Corner, who will make the annual pilgrimage tomorrow. Rollo Pain's book Why Cartmel?, a labour of love and a must-read for fans of the Lake District track, is the starting point as an answer to the puzzle of why more than 20,000 will turn up, in stark contrast to many courses where the viewing, facilities and standard of racing are far better. Location certainly helps: the celebrated historian AJP Taylor called the village 'the prettiest in England', and your correspondent looks forward to meeting friends old and new in the Cavendish Arms off the main square.

Debating the 48-hour question

Mrs Merton may not be with us any more, but it's time for a heated debate. The subject: 48-hour declarations. Every major racing country except ours has introduced them. We have the runners two days in advance here, too, but only for Sunday meetings and Group One races. The powers that be have always bowed to pressure from the trainers' lobby to block their introduction for all races, but last week Attheraces, the new kids on the block, called for a fresh look at the idea and we're behind them 100 per cent.

What's in a name?

Art dealer Richard Green knows what it's like to take a punt and since 1967 he has been investing in horseflesh as well as paintings. His horses are invariably named after artists (Lincoln winner John Ferneley, for instance) and his latest winner, Sir Edwin Landseer, which was successful at Newbury this week, is reportedly well regarded by trainer Paul Cole.